Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, attends a function to pay floral tributes to a picture of Bal Gangadhar Tilak inside the Parliament house, in New Delhi, India, Thursday, July 23, 2015. Thursday marked the birth anniversary of Tilak who was a pioneer of the Indian Independence Movement. (AP Photo/ Manish Swarup)

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NEW DELHI -- Ahead of his visit to UAE from 16 August, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said he would seek to enhance cooperation in energy and trade and reach out to investors there to promote India as an attractive business destination.

Describing United Arab Emirates (UAE) as a “valued partner”, he said the extent of the ties indicate the vibrant bilateral relations India being UAE’s 2nd largest trading partner and UAE the 3rd largest trade partner for the country.

“I specially look forward to meeting the large community of Indian workers based in UAE. No words will be enough to appreciate their hardwork and sweat over the last many years,” the prime minister said in a statement, and noted the immense contribution made by over 2.5 million Indians who have made UAE their home.

Noting that it was the first prime ministerial visit in 34 years, Modi said he was certain it will boost people -to-people ties between the two nations.

“The economic strides taken by UAE are extremely admirable. UAE is a global economic success story that has attracted people from all over the world. UAE has also emerged as an important logistics hub.... During my visit, I seek to enhance cooperation in energy, trade and will talk to investors on why India is an attractive destination to invest,” he said.

During his overnight visit, Modi will first travel to Abu Dhabi and then to Dubai on 17 August. Apart from holding talks with the leadership there, the prime minister will address huge Indian gathering in Dubai Cricket Ground, on the lines of the event held in Madison Square Garden in New York last year.

“I will hold extensive talks with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi, whose enlightened vision and farsightedness has taken UAE to new heights of development. I will meet His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the vice president and Prime Minister of UAE,” Modi said.

“One of the places that I will visit in UAE is the Masdar City, a zero carbon city, which is an effort towards creating a cleaner and greener tomorrow,” he added. He also noted that India and UAE are fantastically connected be it via air or through the sea.